Obstacles to Jesus, Part #2
When the Church removes all other obstacles, we come to the obstacle of ourselves. And repentance breaks down this obstacle.
And the crowds asked John, “What then shall we do?”
Luke 3:10
Obstacle #2: Ourselves
There are those who think, “All I have to do is be kind and generous and that means I’m saved.”
That’s not truth either.
And this is not what John means when he tells the crowds…
To give an extra tunic.
To not collect more than required.
To not extort money.
To not falsely accuse.
Repentance is the fulcrum point.
Repentance is confession with action.
The religious are willing to confess. They’re willing to act. So long as their actions keep them clean from the unreligious world.
The social gospel is willing to act in love and kindness. But they’re not willing to confess.
Transformation that comes from Jesus hinges on repentance. Repentance confesses, “I’ve tried to use this created order to fill a void in my life only you can fill. I now will spend my life Hearing & Following you because from you only true Life of my soul can come.”
And as we spend each and every day Hearing & Following Jesus, we cannot help but be transformed into his image.
The image of God who is the Giver.
The image of God who is the Lover.
As a church leader, do you lead from the transformation Jesus is doing inside of you? Or some created image you are supposed to live up to?